Posted on 04/14/2006 4:28:47 AM PDT by Liberty Valance
BENTON, Tenn. - A bear attacked a family at a camp site in the Cherokee National Forest on Thursday, killing a 6-year-old girl and injuring her 2-year-old brother and mother, authorities said.
The attack took place near a pool of water on Chilhowee Mountain, said Dan Hicks, spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Witnesses described the bear picking up the boy in its mouth while the mother and other visitors tried to fend it off with sticks and rocks, Hicks said. The mother was injured before the bear was chased away.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Do you have the information to back up that it is LEGAL to carry in Nation Forests?
"would imagine that this situation happened too fast and somewhat frenzied. It may have been a tough call for even a well armed, skilled marksman."
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This is not a long range moment..you get as close as you can and shoot hitting a bear with sticks means they were very close to it ..but more likely they would have been able to chase the bear off with just a warning shot prior to the attack.
You nailed it.
See post #19.
National Forest is part of the Forest Service, not the National Park System. Controlled by the USDA I beleive. Their conditions for carry track along with state CCW laws in most instances. National Parks, forget it.
For Parks, the federal law is a prohibition for weapons, except for a few specific cases. Also, individual parks may allow it for certain areas, designated ranges, hunting, etc.
Weapon Regulations
Possession or use of firearms or other weapons in all National Park System (NPS) areas is prohibited (except as otherwise provided in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36 parts 7 (special regulations) and 13 (Alaska regulations). With rare exception (such as times when controlled hunting is allowed) weapons are to be dismantled completely and cased while visiting in NPS areas in the United States. In order to transport weapons through NPS areas they must be dismantled and adequately cased or packed in such a way as to prevent their use. Loaded weapons are subject to confiscation by park authorities.
Please contact the Chief Ranger or Superintendent of the park(s) you will be visiting for additional information concerning weapons, traps and nets.
Following is a reprint from the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property. It is Section 2.4 Weapons, Traps and Nets.
Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 199 [Revised as of July 1, 1998] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 36CFR2.4] [Page 19-20] TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
How horrible.......we live in Gwinnett county outside of Atlanta and there have been three sightings of black bears within the past month. One in a park that we walk our dog in every day....another in the parking lot of the hospital and the last was hit by a car. They believe the sightings were three different bears based on when they were spotted.
Frankly being a little old lady who would most likely have a heart attack if I ever saw one I have made my walks in the park very short!! But I do feel bad that these bears are leaving their natural habitat and coming to visit us in a very overcrowded county. One actually was seen a year ago in Atlanta and was eventually killed by a car.
So what do you suggest I do.....stay out of the parks? I just wonder how long they stay in one location...we usually walk the trails through the woods.
Thanks.
If I'm going into an NP that is more like a NF, I'll still carry. Bears don't care if it's an NP or NF.
LOL. Ain't that the truth!
This is from a US Forest Service site:
"Rules on Firearms
What are the laws concerning carrying firearms on National Forest Land?
First, the primary laws governing possession of firearms and other weapons on National Forest are State Laws. These laws were developed by the states following establishment of our Cooperative Wildlife Management Agreements. Most notable of the state laws concerns controlling firearms on the National Forest are “cased gun laws”.
Cased Gun Laws: As the name implies, this law requires that all firearms on National Forest be unloaded and kept in a case. Virginia and West Virginia have similar “cased gun laws”. In order to allow hunting, these laws make an exception.
It is legal to have loaded firearms on National Forest during the authorized general firearms and muzzle loading gun seasons for bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, or waterfowl. This exception is very specific and applies only during the period when it is legal to take these listed species and doesn’t include carrying the loaded weapons in a vehicle.
Because hunting on Sunday is prohibited, carrying a loaded gun on National Forest is not legal on Sunday even if it is the Sunday in the middle of the general firearms deer season.
The second exception to this law allows people with a concealed weapon permit to carry a loaded, concealed, handgun either on their person or in their vehicle while on National Forest. This does not apply if the person is engaged in a primitive weapons season or chase only season.
Concealed handguns may be in the possession of hunters during the archery and muzzleloading seasons when they also possess a valid concealed handgun permit. Such handguns may not be used to shoot wild animals during these seasons.
Discharging a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow in or across a road or within the right-of-way of any road is prohibited by both State and Federal Law.
Any person convicted of a felony may not legally possess firearms on National Forest.
Arming yourself is a good thing to do, but carrying a portable radio is another alternative as it alerts the bears to your presence and allows them time to get out of the area.
Most attacks happen when bears are surprised or a female has cubs and you get too close.
Nothing more vicious than a mama bear with babies!
I guess that sort of settles the discussion. LOL!
The bear ranges at least fifty miles a day. He may be in the park one day and gone the same day. Of course, he might NOT be in the park one day and be IN it the same day. They really travel.
Amen!
As I suspected and knew..can't legally cary in NF and NP..
but hey can't legally cross the US BORDER and well millions do it every year..Guess I'll just obey the laws I agree with and ignore those I do not.
http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/mammals/black-bear-attacks-fatal.html
Heh, out of the first 5 or so, how many do you actually think were done because of proctection of cubs?
Grannyheart, we live in Gwinnett too (Duluth). I have we've seen a number of large deer-- including some big bucks-- around our subdivision. If they feel comfortable there, the bear are probably close by.
Most people around here always have a sidearm when outside, for troublesome bear. Keep a clean place and usually never have problems. Dogfood, old salmon hanging, garbage outside really brings then in. Cardinal rule is when you see the same bear around your house the second time, you just shoot it; otherwise it'll be breaking in soon enough. Hasn't been anyone mauled for 20 years around here, but know two local older guys that have big scars from bear attacks many years ago.
Perhaps you should read post 36..as for a poor shot well 8 rounds of .45 at close range does tend to remove most pests.
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